Death wobble
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 134
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From: Oregon
Death wobble
This past Sat. I road with 7 other guys, I hate to say two Victories were ahead of me along with a Glide and a Heritage. We hit a left hit a left hand marked 50mph at 70, everone went through like they were on rails. My 05 Electra Glide went into a violent wobble that put me right up to the graveled shoulder. I let off some and trie to hold her into the turn, looked real bad for a bit. I was thinking this is really going to hurt, hope I don't get paralyzed. By leaning real hard I made it. The guy behind me on another Heritage pulled up on the side of me and said what the hell was that. I said death wobble, he said it was close to being just that, he didn't think I was going to make the turn. Scdared me real bad, rode the rest of the way home like everyone else except didn't try the hot turns, don't know if I ever will. The wind was blowing, don't know if that was a factor on the batwing.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2011
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From: nebraska
well check all the usual suspects . stearing head ajustment . tire preasure swing arm ect .
i only had a bad wobble once . the day i brought my FLHRC home .
as soon as i got home i found my tires only had 28psi and 29 psi .
and the shocks only 6 psi . that solved it. just put 38psi front tire 40psi rear and 25psi in my shocks.
i only had a bad wobble once . the day i brought my FLHRC home .
as soon as i got home i found my tires only had 28psi and 29 psi .
and the shocks only 6 psi . that solved it. just put 38psi front tire 40psi rear and 25psi in my shocks.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 338
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From: Chicago burbs
The death wobble scares the hell out of me. It hasn't happened yet, but the fact that it might is not cool. I keep my tires in check, but I do have to check out my shock pressure. Haven't bottomed out but I gotta check. Then I'm going for one of the many stabilizers that are on the market. I'm lookin at the True-Track one myself. I know there are cheaper out there. But this is the one I think I'm settling on. Just my 2 cents.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
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From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
Never had a problem I didn't cause.
Sounds like rider was coming in too hot, trying the change speed in the middle of a curve ( remember if you hit the rear brake, the bike will stand up and go straight)
and loosing mental control of the ride.
Mechanical condition is huge, tire pressure most often incorrect ( remember the thread about the Guy who was gonna sue H-D---but his front tire was at 25 PSI...?).
If riding canyons, updrafts can often hit the fairing, same by the beach.
Traction Control: how fast, how much motor power, how much lean angle, F/R brake balance, road surface, other traffic, room/time to alter course
I see these group rides here during bike week and the number of dangerous riders is huge- shooting up to 80 on the straight and locking up down to 40 for a 65 mph curve.
As they try to stay up with smooth, experienced, thinking riders
OP, think about revisting a rider course to see if you have bad habits which need to be overcome and to get your confidence back. You can't ride well if you are tight
Jeez, I gotta lot of miles under easy and hard riding, never felt that stapling a ladder brace under my bike would correct my faults, just about any bike out there will do more than I can
* I bought my BMW for almost nothing from a Guy who scared himself the first weekend after buying the bike--- no rider course, no parking lot practice, nothing. He thought because he rode dirt bikes in the 70's he was ready to go.
I've been having this conversation with my big brother who at 63 wants to get a Harley as his first bike
Mike
Sounds like rider was coming in too hot, trying the change speed in the middle of a curve ( remember if you hit the rear brake, the bike will stand up and go straight)
and loosing mental control of the ride.
Mechanical condition is huge, tire pressure most often incorrect ( remember the thread about the Guy who was gonna sue H-D---but his front tire was at 25 PSI...?).
If riding canyons, updrafts can often hit the fairing, same by the beach.
Traction Control: how fast, how much motor power, how much lean angle, F/R brake balance, road surface, other traffic, room/time to alter course
I see these group rides here during bike week and the number of dangerous riders is huge- shooting up to 80 on the straight and locking up down to 40 for a 65 mph curve.
As they try to stay up with smooth, experienced, thinking riders
OP, think about revisting a rider course to see if you have bad habits which need to be overcome and to get your confidence back. You can't ride well if you are tight
Jeez, I gotta lot of miles under easy and hard riding, never felt that stapling a ladder brace under my bike would correct my faults, just about any bike out there will do more than I can
* I bought my BMW for almost nothing from a Guy who scared himself the first weekend after buying the bike--- no rider course, no parking lot practice, nothing. He thought because he rode dirt bikes in the 70's he was ready to go.
I've been having this conversation with my big brother who at 63 wants to get a Harley as his first bike
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Mar 6, 2012 at 01:00 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
I made a comment to someone who did this same thing a few months ago and got flamed for saying it....... BUT.
It's a touring bike. Sometimes you can get away with things like this..... other times you die. Your choice.
Slow down BEFORE the curve. If you're afraid the others will call you a *****, find better people to ride with.
And EVERYTHING MKGUITAR said is right.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 134
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From: Oregon
Death wobble
Tires at 38, no braking or down shifting in the curve, shock pressure not as high, no snakes, apexing the curve. Wouldn't say I'm a pro rider, but have been riding for years, around lots of curves,with never a problem. Tires in excellent shape. Going to check the fall away and bearing before my next ride.
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From: Jayhawk Country
Sounds like you learned a valuable lesson, fortunately for you the outcome was in your favor. Next time it may not be. There is something to be said for not trying to out ride your motorcycle or your skills. Not sure what happened to you but you definitely need to ride within your comfort zone. Not saying you aren't a competent rider and not ******* you at all but 70 mph into a 50 mph corner is just asking for trouble. Glad your OK.
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 31
From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
That can do it. You could also run over something to start a micro slide, like a tar snake. When that happens, a rider sometimes goes into a death grip on the bars which actually amplifies the wobble.
70 into a 50, and an "outside" curve is what makes organ donors. In a left hand curve you are usually riding less of a bank than a right hand "inside" curve because of the road pitch. And sometimes, you are even riding on an INVERTED bank on some roads.
I've weeded out probably 30 or so riding buddies over the years. When they ask why I won't ride with them, I tell them I don't want to be a witness for the coroner.
I've been riding since 1966. Went down once in 1973. Decided I didn't like it. So I'm not going to do that again
Not trying to blast you...... glad you lived to tell the tale. Be careful out there..... and get a better gremlin bell.
Last edited by shooter5074; Mar 5, 2012 at 02:15 PM. Reason: Because it's Monday and It's not Friday
